Thompson, Guthrie share Honda Classic lead

Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Sports Network) - Michael Thompson birdied his final
hole on Saturday to grab a share of the lead through three rounds of the Honda
Classic.

Thompson began the third round one shot off rookie Luke Guthrie's pace and
navigated windy PGA National to an even-par 70.

Playing in the final group, Guthrie and Thompson jostled for position much of
the blustery day, with the lead changing hands more than once. The rookie was
ahead by one after the Bear Trap, but he couldn't match Thompson's birdie on
the par-5 18th and instead settled for par and a third-round 71.

Knotted at 8-under 202 through 54 holes, both Guthrie and Thompson will
attempt to secure a maiden PGA Tour victory on Sunday.

Lee Westwood and Geoff Ogilvy turned in matching 70s on Saturday and moved
into a tie for third at 6-under, while Rickie Fowler (69) and Charles Howell
III (71) ended the third round three shots back of the lead at minus-5.

World No. 1 and defending champion Rory McIlroy was not on hand to test the
tricky conditions after his surprising and sudden withdrawal on Friday.

The 23-year-old walked off the course midway through his second round after
carding a pair of bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey in his first eight
holes, later citing a sore wisdom tooth as the cause.

Tiger Woods remained at even-par with his third consecutive 70 on Saturday. He
faced a 9-stroke Sunday deficit at this event last year before turning in his
lowest final round on the PGA Tour (62) and finishing runner-up to
McIlroy.